Mail-box.



PATENTED NDV. 3, 1903.

G. E. ROESCH.

MAIL BOX.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 16, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

Wg fue 656,30

UNITED STATES Patented November 3, 1903.

GEORGE E. HOESCH, OF AURORA, ILLINOIS.

MAIL-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 743,104, dated November3, 1903.

Application filed February 16. V1903. Serial No. 143.488. (N0 model- Myinvention relates to improvements in mail-boxes of the type especiallyadapted for use along rural free-delivery routes in which it isimportant to provide means for quick and ready access by the carrier todeposit or remove the mail and also to provide a suitable signal toindicate when mail is in the box.

The object of my improvements is to provide a mail-box of the styleabove indicated that will close automatically as soon as mail has beendeposited therein and the receptacle released, that will automaticallydisplay the signal when mail has been placed in the box, that willindicate the character of the mail deposited-t'. e., letters ornewspapersthat will have a signal not likely to become damaged bytheelements or accidents, and that as a whole will be simple in form,economical to make, convenient to use, and that may be firmly andsecurely attached to a supporting-post.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application, Ihave shown a preferred embodiment of my invention in the followingviews:

Figure l is a perspective View of my improved mail-box mounted on asuitable post. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the mail-receptacle withthe signal device attached at one end. Fig. 3 is a view, partly insection and partly in elevation, of the box complete, showing the signaldevice retracted.

Referring to thelrespective details of the drawings, A represents a boxmade preferably from sheet metal in the cylindrical form shown andprovided with closed ends a a2 and with an opening a3, extending,preferably, the full length of the box and of suflicient size to permitlarge packages of mail or other matter to be placed in the box. To thebox at the lower edge of its opening is riveted a tongue a5, whichextends outwardly and is provided-with a slot a6 to receive a padlock ofany suitable pattern, which may be used to lock the box. At each end ofthe box is secured a guide b', consisting of a piece of sheet metalhaving its edges turned over to form flanges b2, which serve as keepersfor the signal devices B B3, which 4are mounted in said keepers at theopposite ends of the box, respectively. These signals are each cut froma section of metal in the form shown-that is, with a rounded endb4,Which is adapted to project from the front of the box when the signalis displayed, with a shank portion b5, which is adapted to slide in theway formed by the flanges b2, and with a shoulder b at the inner end,which serves as a stop in limiting the outward movement of the signal.It is my design to have one of the signals painted red and the otherwhite or in some other distinctive colors, and in use one will bedisplayed to indicate that letters are in the box and the other to showthat only newspapers are deposited therein, or they may be used in otherways, as may be arranged between the owner and the carrier.

The box A is provided with pivot-pins a7 at each end, which are locatedeccentrically to the horizontal'axis of the box and below the opening0,3, and these pivots have suitable bearings in the hood or cover C,which will be described.

The hood O is formed from sheet metal, a single piece forming the back cand the top c2 and separate pieces the ends c3. The top arches over thebox and extends down in front to cover the opening in the latter when itis in its normal or closed position. Riveted to the top at its center isa metal strap D, which extends transversely of the top and in its lowerand front end is provided with a slot d, which registers with the slota6 in the tongue, thus permitting the box to be locked to the cover. Theupper and rear end of the strap is provided with holes, by which it maybe bolted, screwed, or otherwise fastened to the post E. The lower edgeof the hood is reinforced with a bar of strapron F, riveted in place andextended angnlarly across the corners between the back and the ends, soas to firmly brace the latter. Bolts, as f', extend through the strap atits center and serve to attach it to the post, as indicated in Fig. 3.

It will be noted that as the signal slides freely between 'the ianges ofthe guide b it will be caused to slide outwardly by the par IOO tialrotation of the box incident to opening or depressing same-a movementthat is facilitated by the fact that the outer end of the signal isheavier than its other parts and gravity-acting. When the box returns toits normal or closed position by the action of gravity, the signal willstill remain extended or displayed without any care from the carrier, sothat the mere act of placing mail in the box will necessarily displaythe signal. When the mail has been removed, the person removing samewill push the signal back into place between the adjacent ends of thebox and hood, when it will be ready for another automatic movement andin the meantime is protected from the elements. As the lower edge of thehood extends below the edge of the opening in the box, there is nodanger from rain or snow beating in and injuring the be automaticallydisplayed bythe opening of the receptacle.

2. In a mail-box, a suitable cover adapted to be secured to a post, acylindrical mail-receptacle eccentrically mounted in said cover, signalsslidably mounted between the ends of the receptacle yand the cover andnormally concealed, said signals adapted to be automatically displayedby the opening of the receptacle, and requiring manual operation to bereturned t0 their norm al or concealed position.

3. In a mail-box, an overhanging hood or cover, means for attaching saidhood to a post, a cylindrical mail-receptacle eccentrically mounted insaid cover, a signal normally concealed between said cover andreceptacle and adapted to be displayed automatically by the rotation ofthe mail-receptacle to its open position, and means for locking themail-receptacle to its cover.

4. In a mail-box, a suitable cover, means for attaching the cover to apost consisting of a metal st-rap adapted to be secured to a post,secured to the top of the cover and extending transversely ot' saidcover, and having its front end slotted to receive a lock, anda metalstrap extending around the lower edge of the cover and bracing thecorners of same substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof l affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE E. HOESCH.

Witnesses:

R. G. ROBERTS, F. BENJAMIN.

